TSTC Culinary Art Graduate Finds His Passion in the Kitchen

(ABILENE) – Sweetwater native Marc Silvas went off to Texas Tech University to study to be a pharmacist but soon realized he was on the wrong career track.

“I wasn’t enjoying it and I couldn’t see myself being a pharmacist for the rest of my life,” said Silvas. “So I found myself back at home and working at my family’s restaurant thinking about my life and doing some soul searching.”

The 27-year-old’s family owns a Tex-Mex restaurant in Sweetwater called Casa Morales. It was originally opened by his grandfather in 1980 in Rotan, Texas. After retirement his family moved the business to Sweetwater in 1990, where they have served the community since.

“I was in the kitchen cooking when I realized, ‘Why not pursue a career in the culinary world?’” said Silvas. “I’m a restaurant kid, I’ve done this my whole life and I’m good at it.”

Silvas said that was the best decision he had ever made. After completing program prerequisites and applying for the culinary program, he got accepted. He graduated from the TSTC Culinary Arts program with an associate degree in 2011.

“My time at TSTC was great and it prepared me and paved my way for the job I have now,” he said.

Silvas currently works with Texas Tech’s hospitality services as an Executive Chef for Top Tier Catering, the university’s in-house catering company.

“Getting this job was definitely a whirlwind of emotions for me because I received the offer before even receiving my degree,” Silvas said. “It all happened so fast, but it’s like I say, you get what you put into something. And I gave everything to be successful in the culinary program.”

The executive chef said the education and training he received at TSTC is invaluable. He said the real-world experience of running a lunch and dinner service as a class for the college and community was instrumental in his success.

“During this time we would all shift restaurant roles,” he said. “So one day I was cooking, the next bussing tables and the next working as wait staff. It’s important to learn every role and TSTC provided that experience.”

Silvas credits much of his success to two of his instructors Chef Sandy Davis and Chef Coby Baumann.

“They invested so much of their energy and time in me and my success,” said Silvas. “It means a lot to me that they cared about my development and always pushed me to do my best.”

Ultimately, Silvas said he would like to teach others and also help them find success in the culinary industry in addition to someday owning his own butcher shop.

In the meantime, Silvas is preparing for his Certified Pastry Chef exam in July. He already holds two additional certifications: Certified Executive Chef and Chef de Cuisine.

David Deason, Silvas’ supervisor and associate managing director of Hospitality at Texas Tech said he was impressed with Silvas the first time he met him.

“Marc is so young, but so talented in the kitchen,” Deason said. “He has worked side by side with some of the best trained chefs from f the biggest culinary institutes and he is respected by all. He definitely has a bright future and a home here with us as long as he wants to stay.”

Silvas said he wants current or future TSTC students to always find networking opportunities.

“Get involved in your community, no matter your major,” he said. “Sometimes it’s about who you meet and know that will give you your break. I know it definitely made a difference for me when I met my current boss at an event I was cooking for.”

For more information on TSTC Culinary Arts call 325-670-9240.

Student Success Profile – Lonnie Martinez

(HARLINGEN) – San Benito native Lonnie Martinez is completing her General Academic Core at Texas State Technical College. The 27-year-old holds a perfect 4.0 grade-point average despite the fear she had of returning to the classroom after being away for nine years.

The mother of five said she was nervous setting foot inside a college but knew she had to do it for her children.

“I want to be a good example and I want them to see me as a role model,” she said. “I want them to see success and also aim for it.”

Martinez currently works part-time as a provider, but she looks forward to the day she can say she has a career.

What are your plans after graduating?

After completing my academic core at TSTC, I hope to transfer to the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley to pursue a bachelor’s degree in criminology and criminal justice.

What is your dream job?

My dream job is to become a police officer and advance my career in the field. I want to help the citizens of my community by preventing crime and getting criminals off the street. I also want to dedicate my time to helping less fortunate children and their families.

What greatest lesson have you learned about yourself or life?

The greatest lesson I have learned is about fear. Fear held me back for so many years, and I am becoming stronger everyday by facing it. Coming to TSTC has motivated me to keep trying by best; it has given me confidence and has allowed me to step out of my comfort zone.

Who at TSTC has most influenced your success?

The person at TSTC who has influenced my success the most is Student Life Supervisor Belinda Palomino. She is an amazing person full of motivation and she always gives me that extra push I need to believe in myself.

What is your advice for future TSTC students?

My advice for future TSTC students is to remember that education is the key to success. Also, do not be afraid to ask for help. I see many students afraid to ask questions, but the more questions asked the better chance we have at getting help from instructors and advisors to succeed.

TSTC Hosts Annual Tech Day

(HARLINGEN) – Texas State Technical College recently held its annual Tech Day, hosting more than 1,000 high school students from Zapata to Brownsville.

“This is an excellent opportunity to expose these students to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) careers,” said TSTC Director for Recruitment Dora Colvin. “This is the one day that students get to explore college and the school districts count on it.”

Students at Tech Day got a first-hand look at the nearly 40 programs at TSTC and the type of technical certificates and degrees they can pursue, while learning about the possible career opportunities available to them as college graduates. They also had the opportunity to tour TSTC classrooms and labs and get a look into college life.

TSTC faculty and staff likewise were on hand to discuss and answer questions about programs and admission and financial aid processes, while TSTC students had the opportunity to speak one-on-one and share their college experiences with high school students on the tours.

Colvin said many of the students attending Tech Day have already submitted applications to attend TSTC.

“A lot of these students have already shown an interest in pursuing a program here at the college. We’re hosting our future students,” said Colvin. “This is a great way for us to showcase what we offer and help many of them (students) make an educated decision on where they want to continue their higher education.”

Harlingen High School South senior Kent Largo said he is excited and impressed about everything he saw during his tour. He hopes to attend TSTC in the fall to pursue an associate degree in Dental Hygiene.

“I already know what I want to do but seeing everything that TSTC offers was an eye opener,” he said. “I can’t wait to attend TSTC.”

To end the day, students were treated to lunch, door prizes and a scholarship raffle for two $250 scholarships to help students with tuition, books or other college expenses.

Evelyn Reyna a senior from La Grulla High School and Mariela Guerrero also a senior from Edinburg North High School were the scholarship recipients and said this money came at the right time.

“I’m speechless and excited. I can’t wait to tell my family,” said Guerrero. “This helps out financially, and takes a bit of stress off of my shoulders. Thank you so much TSTC for this help.”

Guerrero said she hopes to attend TSTC in the fall and although undecided on what career path she wants to pursue, she now knows she has many options to choose from at the college.

Reyna is also interested in attending TSTC in the fall to pursue education.

“I’m in shock, I never expected to win. There’s so many students here,” she said. “This is going to help get what I need for college and I want to thank TSTC for giving me this opportunity.”

Colvin said every year Tech Day is a success and she cannot believe how much it has grown as evidenced by the fact that two lunch sessions were needed this year to accommodate the number of students in attendance.

“Every year we grow and get bigger offering more and more high school students the opportunity to tour our campus and allowing us to showcase everything we have to offer,” she said.

For more information on Tech Day, or to apply to TSTC call 956-364-4119 or visit tstc.edu.

TSTC Leads in Sustainability Earning a LEED Gold Award

(HARLINGEN) – Texas State Technical College was recently honored with a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Award for interior renovations completed in what is now the Health Information Technology building, bringing to four the number of green building awards the college has received.

TSTC, SpawGlass Contractors Inc. and PBK Architects, worked on the project and showed its commitment to green building and sustainability by using recycled woods and installing energy efficient features.

“This is a big honor for our campus and it’s all thanks to the support and optimism we received from our administration and everyone who worked on this project,” said TSTC Facilities Department Project Manager Adan Alvarez, AIA.

The Health Information Technology Building is the third building on campus to earn a LEED Gold Award, but the fourth building to receive a LEED honor. The first two LEED Gold Awards were given to the TSTC University Center and the Engineering Technology Center. The third LEED Award was silver and went to the Student Services building.

Cliff Whittingstall, AIA, partner at PBK Architects, the firm which completed drawings and design for Building D, said they were very excited to hear about the award.

“We’re honored to have been a part of this project and working with a college that has a strong belief in LEED,” he said. “TSTC has done a great job at making the campus sustainable.”

PBK Architects Sustainability Specialist Robert Bruce said that using an existing building and recycled materials, which was done for this renovation, is the ultimate way to show sustainability efforts.

“The main sustainable feature of the project was the reclaimed wood we worked hard to incorporate throughout the building,” said Bruce. “We believe so strongly in LEED and sustainability, and giving a building a new life and character that will last a long time while having a minimal impact on the carbon footprint of our planet.”

Alvarez said in addition to the reclaimed wood from the old military barracks that dotted the campus built on a former military base, TSTC earned the gold award because of the design used for the renovation and other materials such as asbestos free elements, LED lighting systems, new and more efficient air conditioning units, recycled doors and door frames and an open-ceiling structure.

“We’re a technical college that teaches sustainability, so earning these awards allows us to talk the talk and walk the walk,” he said. “By receiving these certifications and awards we show we’re doing our part for the environment and becoming a symbol for green building.”

SpawGlass Contractors Inc. South Texas Division President Eric Kennedy said they work with clients like TSTC that are placing an effort on sustainability and earning LEED certifications, in making sure that all construction meets LEED expectations and standards.

“We consider ourselves partners with TSTC and this award is a great team effort,” said Kennedy. “We’ve done a lot of work for TSTC in the past and we’re glad to have had the opportunity of being a part of this award-winning, energy-efficient, LEED-certified building.”

The TSTC campus in Harlingen is the only campus in the TSTC System to have LEED-certified buildings, and has the most LEED-certified buildings among higher education institutions in its region.

The recently renovated TSTC Nursing Center is the fifth building to be on track for a LEED Certification, and the campus’ new chiller plant is also designed to be energy efficient and meet LEED standards.

TSTC Lends Support to Annual Marshall Chamber Banquet

(MARSHALL) –The Texas State Technical College Foundation is solidifying a relationship with the Greater Marshall Chamber of Commerce by serving as a dinner sponsor for the organization’s annual banquet.

The event, with the theme “There’s No Place Like Home,” will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 7, at the Marshall Convention Center on East End Boulevard South in Marshall. Chamber leaders will announce the Citizen of the Year and Ambassador of the Year and celebrate the work and progress of businesses in Harrison County.

TSTC in Marshall Provost Barton Day is the chamber’s chair-elect of the Board of Directors for 2018, and Jessica Ford, a field development officer for The TSTC Foundation, is a chamber ambassador. TSTC is a chamber member.

“The chamber is here to enlist the help of industries, retail and wholesale businesses, even our professional services and citizens, to make sure we all play a part as stakeholders in the economic development of our community and Harrison County,” said Stormy Nickerson, the chamber’s executive director.

Nickerson has personal experience with TSTC. One of her sons is a Biomedical Equipment Technology graduate and another son is scheduled to graduate in the same program this spring. Her husband, Brian Nickerson, is an instructor in the technical college’s Electrical Lineworker Technology program.

“TSTC is in the market of placing individuals for quality employment after they graduate,” Nickerson said. “We appreciate elements of their programs, like the Money-Back Guarantee. They are making a bold and brave statement to train people to move forward in the work environment. We need all the relationships with higher education. It’s vital we have the jobs to boost our industrial community, and TSTC helps us get there.”

Lewis Engineering Co. on East Houston Street in Marshall is an active chamber member. Adam Hopkins, the firm’s quality manager, graduated in 2011 from TSTC with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Computer Aided Drafting and Design.

Hopkins, 28, a Marshall native and graduate of Texas Early College High School, said he has been fortunate to be able to stay close to family throughout his career.

“I think it’s awesome to have a technical college here that offers those skills that are in demand here in the region,” Hopkins said.

TSTC Solar Energy Technology Program Ready to Supply Industry Growth

(WACO) – Texas State Technical College’s Solar Energy Technology program is growing and poised to fill an expected growth of jobs in the state.

Equipment used for program lectures and labs will be moved throughout the spring semester from an older metal building on Airline Drive to a newer, larger structure up the road next to the Building Construction Technology program’s building. The new building provides more space to teach solar energy design, troubleshooting, solar thermal systems and other classes.

“Having spent several years in the industry recently, I have a detailed understanding of what employers require in their employees,” said Hugh Whitted, a Solar Energy Technology instructor at TSTC. “Using this experience, I have made adjustments to curriculum and labs that allow students to be successful employees.”

TSTC is helping to contribute to the state’s growing solar energy industry.

Solar energy technology jobs grew in Texas by more than 30 percent between 2015 and 2016, according to The Solar Foundation’s 2016 National Solar Jobs Census. In 2015, there were 7,030 industry jobs and in 2016, the workforce grew to more than 9,300. This put Texas third in the country in solar energy jobs, followed by California and Massachusetts.

Texas had about 21,000 commercial and residential properties using solar panels as of summer 2016, according to the Texas Solar Energy Society. Usage has been seen primarily in parts of Texas that use deregulated energy sources and in the Austin and San Antonio areas, according to information compiled by the state solar energy society.

“Solar is growing in Texas right now,” Whitted said. “With federal rebates and local rebates being offered and a climate that makes solar very productive, many individuals and businesses are adding in solar power.”

TSTC alumnus Kalden Swinson, 27, sees daily how solar energy is being embraced in commercial and residential projects as a project designer and drafter at Austin-based NATiVE.

The Ennis resident works from home and travels to Austin periodically for meetings at the green-building firm specializing in solar electric systems, energy efficiency, construction and rainwater collection.

“I think solar is the future and I hope the federal rebate system won’t totally deteriorate,” Swinson said.

Swinson said he was glad he took courses in instrumentation, alternative current circuits and physics early on at TSTC, where he graduated in 2012 with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Solar Energy Technology.

“Take every class seriously and think about what you want to do,” said Swinson, a graduate of Maypearl High School in Ellis County.

There were more than 260,000 solar jobs in the United States in 2016, according to the solar jobs report. Nine percent of the workers were veterans, while 28 percent were women and 17 percent were Hispanic.

TSTC offers the Associate of Applied Science degree in Solar Energy Technology. Since 2011, the program has had more than 20 graduates.

TSTC Hosts First Community Resource Fair

(FORT BEND) – Texas State Technical College recently hosted its first Community Resource Fair to serve the students and the residents of Fort Bend County.

The fair focused on health and wellness and finance, hosting six businesses: 24 Hour Fitness; Texana, Mental Health Agency; Frost Bank, Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office; Access Health, a medical facility that provides affordable healthcare to those with or without insurance; and TSTC’s Veteran Services.

The businesses set up in the entrance of TSTC’s Industrial Technology Center, providing information and guidance for those needing or having an interest in their services.

Director of Student Services Georgeann Calzada said this event was held with the students’ needs in mind. Every business at the event is located within a 10 to 15-mile radius from the campus, also giving students the benefit of proximity.

“We want our students to be healthy and make good financial decisions,” said Calzada. “We encourage healthy lifestyles and I’m so glad all of these businesses were willing to help us.”

Calzada said she hopes students found the information they received useful and that they will take advantage of the services that were offered during one-on-one conversations between students and the company representatives.

“Many of the students and even faculty and staff on campus, can benefit from these services,” she said. “We hope to make this a yearly event and grow the partnerships we have with our local service-orientated businesses around the county.”

During the event, TSTC staff also encouraged students to register for the college’s Emergency Notification System (ENS), an alert system that utilizes phone calls, text messages and emails to send notifications in case of inclement weather or dangers around the campus.

“Safety at TSTC is our number one priority,” said Calzada. “It’s an important factor at school, work and in life.”

Calzada said students can expect a Spring Break Awareness Fair in the coming month to provide students with the information they need to stay safe during the one-week break from classes.

For more information on the services offered to TSTC students or to sign up as a business partner, call 364-239-3422.

TSTC Electrical Lineworker Technology Program a Source for Area Power Providers

(MARSHALL) – Area electrical providers continue searching for qualified workers to replace an aging workforce. Texas State Technical College stands ready to fill the void.

Students in TSTC’s Electrical Lineworker Technology program prepare for the field by taking classes in electrical calculations, live line safety, distribution operations, electrical theory and testing, along with other topics. The program had more than 20 graduates in 2016.

“For the right person who is dedicated to entering the industry, the possibilities of employment are almost endless,” said Eric Carithers, TSTC’s statewide department chair for Electrical Distribution and Industrial Systems. “Our students coming through the program are challenged with real-life scenarios that they will most certainly encounter when they go into industry.”

Texas had more than 10,900 electrical power line repairers and installers — the most in the nation — earning an annual mean wage of $53,780 as of May 2015, according to recent figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The Woodlands-Houston-Sugar Land and Dallas-Plano-Irving areas had the largest concentration of lineworkers in Texas, with more than 4,600 as of May 2015, according to the labor statistics bureau.

The number of electrical lineworkers in Texas is expected to grow to 13,780 by 2024, according to projectionscentral.com, a clearinghouse of national and state job market predictions.

The Panola-Harrison Electric Cooperative in Marshall services customers in Harrison and Panola counties in Texas and Caddo and DeSoto parishes in Louisiana. The cooperative has more than 30 employees servicing more than 13,600 commercial and residential members.

“We have had good success in recent years hiring young linemen,” said Kathy Wood, a general manager at the electric cooperative. “We have quite a bit of people that apply to work for Panola-Harrison. Our culture here is different than an investor-owned company. We are small and more family-oriented. We have hired TSTC linemen in the past.”

Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO) based in Shreveport, Louisiana is one of seven regional electric utilities for Ohio-based American Electric Power. The company has recruited several TSTC graduates for jobs in power plant operations, maintenance, instrumentation and electrical work. SWEPCO provides electrical services to several counties in Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas.

“Our economy depends on electricity — there can’t be water supplies, information technologies or even health care without it,” said SWEPCO President and Chief Executive Officer Venita McCellon-Allen. “With a local economy fueled by electricity, there is a need for highly skilled craft jobs and apprentice linemen programs to feed this growth. And with the average age of a utility lineman at 50 years old, this intersection of growth and an aging workforce has presented us some challenges to providing skilled lineworkers for today and the future.”

SWEPCO contributed $350,000 in early 2008 to help start the Electrical Lineworker Technology program at TSTC. The Marshall Economic Development Corporation donated five acres for the technical college’s outdoor Electrical Lineworker Technology training lab in 2009.

Carithers said plans are being developed to have students learn CPR/first aid and earn traffic control certifications.

TSTC students can graduate with the associate degree or certificate in Electrical Lineworker Technology and have 30 hours of Occupational Safety and Health Administration training.

“TSTC makes our communities strong and vibrant through valuable skills training and workforce development,” McCellon-Allen said.

TSTC, Fluor Partnership Funds Student Scholarships

(FORT BEND) – Texas State Technical College has received a $10,000 donation from Houston-based Fluor Corporation, a global engineering and construction company, to fund the college’s Texan Success Scholarship campaign.

The donation is matched by TSTC dollar-for-dollar and is awarded to new, full-time students to assist with tuition, books and other expenses.

“A partnership like this significantly increases our ability to provide a high quality education for our students while increasing the TSTC brand in Fort Bend County,” said Vice Chancellor and Chief Execution Officer Randall Wooten.

Wooten said Fluor has also expressed interest in hiring TSTC graduates, participating in an intern program and placing representatives to serve on the college’s Welding Technology Advisory Committee.

“We are pleased to partner with TSTC in its efforts to provide scholarships to students. Investing in organizations that provide best-in-class student training is what’s required to prepare the next generation, to not only find jobs, but to grow into careers, “ said Callie Coester, vice president of Project Operations E&C Americas at Fluor. “We look forward to continuing our partnership with TSTC in the future.”

Wooten added that having a partnership with a large corporation like Fluor will play a huge role in supporting the college’s mission of placing more Texans in good paying jobs.

“The recruiters at Fluor will know our instructors and be able to observe the work of our students,” he said. “In essence, they will be able to hire the top performers and place them in high paying jobs which fulfills our state mandate of placing more Texans in great paying jobs.”

TSTC’s Industrial Technology Center opened in August and is expanding with its second building scheduled to open in Fall 2017. Wooten said with TSTC growing in the Fort Bend market, the partnership with Fluor could not have come at a better time.

“This partnership adds a tremendous level of credibility to TSTC in Fort Bend County as we continue to grow in the market. We appreciate Fluor’s forward thinking and support,” Wooten said. “And as we expand we will continue to look for other industry partners who will benefit from the work of our highly-trained students.”Wooten would like to encourage other large corporations to invest in TSTC.

“We feel that there will be other large companies that will be willing to invest in TSTC because of the reputation that we have earned throughout the state of Texas,” he said.

For more information on the Texan Success Scholarship and how you can do your part to help a deserving student, call 346-239-3417.

Student Success Profile – Itzel Hernandez

(HARLINGEN) – Itzel Hernandez is a Business Management Technology student at Texas State Technical College. The 19-year-old will be graduating in Fall 2017 with her associate degree.

The Port Isabel native is also active on campus serving as the Historian for the Business Management Technology Club, hosting fundraisers and doing community service.

What are your plans after graduation?

After graduating from TSTC, I plan on transferring to the University of North Texas to pursue a bachelor’s degree in accounting. I have family who work with H&R Block, so I’m also hoping to get a job there to gain experience and use the money I make to help pay for college.

What is your dream job?

I ultimately want to work with the FBI as an accountant cracking down on fraud. I have an interest in criminal justice, but want to be more than just a law enforcement agent, and this is a great way to combine my love for math and law enforcement.

What has been your greatest accomplishment while at TSTC?

My greatest accomplishment has been getting good grades, not only has it landed me on the dean’s list, but it also got me a grant. There was a time when I did not have enough money to pay for school and I did not qualify for any loans but I was told at financial aid not to worry because I had received a grant in part because of my good grades. It was a relief and blessing.

What greatest lesson have you learned about yourself or life?

I have learned that as long as I work hard and push myself to keep moving forward I can do whatever I set my mind to and reach my goals.

Who at TSTC has had the most influence on your success?

My Physics Instructor Steve Szymoniak has influenced me the most because he knows how to put work and fun together. There was always something to laugh about in his class and he always motivated us to keep going and not give up. Additionally, my best friend Amanda Paredez has always been there for me. She knows how to keep me calm and relaxed when I’m stressing out.